Top seed Prarthana Thombare managed to stave off a strong challenge from compatriot and seventh seed Eetee Maheta to win the ITF Women’s Futures tennis tournament here on Saturday.

Prarthana won 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) in a marathon contest under humid conditions that tested the staying power of the players.

It was credit to fitness of both players that they did not let up till the very end.
Eetee started the match on a positive note as she took a 2-0 lead only to concede the next three games as Prarthana gathered herself and began to play consistent ground strokes.

Prarthana led 3-2 when Eetee started playing more assertively. Eetee captured four of the next five games as she clinched the first set 6-4.

With the momentum on her side, Eetee took a 2-0 lead in the lead whenPrarthana took a medical time out.

Focus lost

The three minute time out seemed to have hurt Eetee’s concentration as Prarthana took five of the next six games to take the second set 6-3.

Eetee again had the upper hand in the deciding set as she led 3-0 and 4-1 but Prarthana came storming back to level the match at 6-6.

In the ensuing tie-break, Prarthana kept her composure to walk away the winner.